Lynda Rose (Doherty) Phillips

Back in the late 80’s I was managing a shoe store out in the old Superstore Mall and I was hiring. I was looking for an employee who could not only stand the boredom of waiting for customers to come in buy shoes but also an employee that could stand to be around me for hours on end. Midday approached and this short, tiny cute adorable girl comes in wearing the biggest smile and after only a few moments of talking with her, I hired her on the spot. We hit it off immediately and became fast friends that for years afterwards were inseparable.

From playing PTM softball together or during our phase of hosting fondue parties, Lynda and I were always in some sort of friendly competition. Lynda and Joe had the best costumes at the annual Poplar Cres Halloween party and hands down she was the far superior cook. I remember one night, after a few cocktails, Lynda and I bantered on who loved Bon Jovi more. I believe we finally called that one a tie.

Speaking of Bon Jovi; back in the 80’s we went to Toronto together to see a Bon Jovi concert. We bought binoculars to zoom in close and we wore matching concert shirts. We screamed till our hearts were content and our voices were hoarse. A few years ago when Bon Jovi came to London, there was only one person I had to see that show with. That night we laughed about how we had gone all the way from 80s big hair and small waists to flat ironed hair and bigger waists. The way we carried on that night was like there was no way that almost 20 years had melted away since that first concert.

I gave Lynda a bridal shower when she and the love of her life, Joe finally decided to get married and she in turn held one for me. I helped her shop for a wedding dress for her Vegas wedding and she in turn was a bridesmaid at my wedding almost 20 years ago. We planned to have our babies at the same time and as it turned out my Zach and her JJ are only 6 weeks apart. We learned to become new mommies together and we gave each other tips on how to moderately function with a lack of sleep. Our party nights morphed into baby play dates and I’d never seen her happier. We’d always joke on how our beautiful baby sons were dressed to OshKosk perfection and we were lucky if we’d make it to the shower once every few days.

After I had my baby Zach and Lynda had her baby JJ our lives got so busy. She had another baby, Ricky. Then I had another baby, Jeff. Then she had another baby, Joey and then I had another baby, Derek. I flew the white flag of surrender in but Lynda tried one more time and after all that baby boy blue, Lynda and Joe received blessed pink news and they had their Katie. Lynda thrived on loving her kids and when we would talk on the phone the entire conversation was all about her family. She was so incredibly proud of her children. The Phillips’ lives became busy with school and hockey and Kelly’s lives became busy with school and football and time unfortunately slipped away from us.

A few weeks ago I read a quote about friendship and right away Lynda came to my mind. I’d like to share.

It’s been said that everlasting friends can go long periods of time without speaking and never question the friendship. These types of friends pick up like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how far away they live and they don’t hold grudges. They understand that life is busy…but you will ALWAYS love them.

My God Lynda you will be missed. Give your dad a big hug from me. I love you.
Michelle

Lynda was the daycare provider for my two girls for the past few years. My girls loved her right when they met her and I never worried when they were in her care. She was exceptional with my girls, so much so that they would rather go to her house then to school or stay home with daddy! It takes a special person to have that effect on little ones. She is an amazing person who was called home too early and for reasons we can’t understand. As a person of faith, I know she is in a good place looking down on her family and watching over them. You are a one of a kind Lynda and your memory will be with my family always. Thinking and praying for the family.
The Bolster family (Ashley & Sami)

This is so incredibly sad! I am heart broken for her husband and children along with the many kids that she welcomed into her home over the years. She gave love to my kids (Jack and Simon) over the past 3 years. She made countless chocolates, cupcakes and cookies. Helped Simon make Christmas presents for the entire family, nurtured his love for letters, numbers and printing not to mention the extensive homemade fridge magnet collection we have. Shawn and I were so very lucky to find someone that would take such good care of our kids. I knew no matter what they needed she would provide it – from snacks and fun filled adventures to snuggles and hugs. She will be greatly missed by us all!!

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my first and very best childhood friend. I moved to Carey Crescent at the young age of nine. Lynda and I met and became inseparable. I spent many days at her home playing downstairs with the juke box and drinking pop while we danced to the Bay City Rollers. We rode our bikes and ran around the crescent playing hide and go seek until the sun went down. We shared birthday parties and suppers and sleepovers. She always asked her mom to make Kraft Dinner for us and we were excited when I got to stay for supper. I have the greatest memories of my childhood years with Lynda. We use to call ourselves cousins. We thought we looked alike and we were always together. Her family was mine and mine was hers. As we grew older we ended up at different high schools and found different interests. Years passed but I always ran into her at the hockey arena and through Phillips picnics. She never changed even though the years had gone by. Big, bright smile and we always had so much to share with each other. My heart is sad but I will always have these wonderful memories of my time with Lynda. My deepest sympathies to her family. I will always remember you Lynda. Rest now. Give my love to your dad and my mom xoxo

In December 2008, I answered a kijiji ad for childcare in the “Old South area”. Lynda explained when I called her that she was a bit south of Commissioners, and I thought it was probably too far out of the way for my daily drive, but there was something about our conversation that made me want to go and meet her anyway.

I will be eternally thankful for Joe in choosing that description for the ad. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met and immediately clicked with Lynda. For the last four and a half years, the Phillips’ home has been worth the extra bit of driving, because first Aiden and then Trevor were immediately embraced by the entire family. I loved our brief chats in the morning and evening. I learned so much from Lynda about being a mom. About loving our kids, in everything that they are and all the different ways they challenge us. Rarely did a day go by without a story about one of her four, or a tongue-in-cheek warning about what the future held for me. In the summer we would chat in the backyard while Aiden did “just one more lap” of the climber, chased by Ricky or Joey, and then as he got older, waiting for him to come trudging out of the basement, not wanting to leave because he was having too much fun with the older boys. That’s a huge testament to Lynda, that her children were so good with the little ones in her care, even as they grew up themselves. JJ taught Aiden how to play road hockey. Katie shared her favourite stuffies when he got attached to them, and helped him get comfortable with the animal menagerie.

Lynda, we miss you so much. Our hearts are bruised tonight, and our cheeks are wet. That’s not going to change anytime soon.

Sorry for your loss, best regards to you and yours Joey.

With such a heavy heart I express my true appreciation and admiration for such a beautiful Wife, Mother and Caregiver; Lynda Phillips. Lynda had become a 2nd Mother to my 2 children Lily and Ella over the past 5 years of Lynda caring for them and they grew to love her just the same. She was the most kind, caring and loving person to our daughters and taught Lily so much of what she needed to know to start J/K 2 years ago. Lynda brought such a joy and happiness to the girls; most of the time in the spring, summer and fall Lily would be asking me “can I stay a little longer” each time I would come to pick her up. A Caregiver with such compassion for what she did can never be replaced, the amount of special attention, time and detail that went into every craft, baking session and present never went unnoticed by us and we will forever be grateful that our children got to have Lynda in their lives.

Lynda you will forever be in our thoughts. Our memories of you will live with in our children and our hearts for always. We send so much love from our family to yours.

I’m so deeply shocked and saddened. I’ve know Lynda since public school at St Judes. We had so much fun nothing but good memories, And then again she comes into my life with our children attending Mountsfeild and South. I will always and only remember her smile always and only remember her surrounded by children, always and only remember how kind she was to my children. Your kindness never went unnoticed, I’m wishing I could have thanked you again. God bless your family, I know you will always be looking out for them. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
Love Anita

Joey, deepest condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Joe, JJ, Ricky, Joey and Katie – we are so sorry for the loss of your wonderful wife and mom. We are extremely shocked and saddened by this sudden tragedy. Lynda always welcomed our three children into your home, even though there were always several other children inside. In fact, during the recent March break, my kids had been there for a few hours and I had to run errands. I went over to retrieve them and load them in my van and Lynda said – they are fine here, they are having fun, they can stay. In disbelief, I asked “are you sure?”, knowing full well there was a house full – she said “absolutely enjoy the quiet, take your time.” I went about and did my shopping and thought that was the nicest thing, what a wonderful woman.
Our neighborhood will certainly miss her small but mighty presence, but her good nature and spirit lives on in those beautiful children.
Please accept our sincere condolences and if there is anything we can do, let us know.
Carri, Jeff, Alex, Christopher and Jacob Rowley

dear joe and family,
Our heartfelt condolences are with you on this sad day and our prayers are with you.
Her kindness and generous
spirit will be missed by many of us.

Our thoughts and prayers to a family that has lost a wife and mother way too soon. Be strong for one another and hold tight all your sweetest memories.

We are so incredibly saddened. We were neighbours to Lynda and Joe for 9 years.. Our girls Lauren and Lisa in particular spent many a day at Lynda’s, they loved to help her out with the kids. That is exactly what she wanted them to think but it was actually Lynda helping our girls to become mature, responsible woman. Lauren is now a wonderful mom and I credit Lynda for showing her such an incredible role model. We spent many a day swimming in our pool, eating cookies and hanging out on those lazy summer days. Lynda your life touched so many people, you will be missed. Joe, JJ, Ricky, Joey and Katie, we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Joe, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your wife Lynda. Stay strong, lean on each other. Though there will be tears, there will also be many good memories to help you through.

Joey and I have been friends since kindergarten. I met Lynda for the first time just after Joey and Lynda were married. I’ve never seen Joey so happy. With Lynda being a diehard Leafs fan and Joey being a Habs fan, they still managed to keep peace in the house. There are no words that can take away the pain all of you are feeling. May God continue to watch over you Joey over the difficult days ahead.

Over the years, our sons, Nic and Ricky played hockey together and Lynda was always cheering for the team. Our deepest sympathies are with you during your sorrow.
Julie, Eddie, Nic and Carley

my condolences on your loss way too young

We were very saddened to hear of Lynda’s passing. Our daughter Natalie of course was most distressed and we know why having met Lynda on many occasions whilst on holiday from Australia and staying
at Nat & Merts. We always saw a happy Lily when we dropped or picked her up and Max was the same, so we knew Lynda had created a loving secure environment for our grandchildren which is the wish for any parent or grandparent to have.
To Joe and your beautiful children may the happy memories and the love and support from family and friends help you through this very sad time.
Kindest Regards,
George & Josephine Booth
(Nat’s Dad, Perth Australia)

my memory of you lynda is of a happy teenage girl in love with joey sleep in peace
aunt susan

I met Lynda at Mountsfield P.S. our boys JJ and Carson were in the same class. I think Mountsfield must have been Lynda’s second home, she certainly spent much of her time there. Lynda was there not only to help her children but to help all the children. She cared for, encouraged, mentored and loved our children as well as her own. To me Lynda was the best mom there could be, she was selfless, a mother to all, she always came home from a sporting event with more kids than she left with – she always had “room” for everyone. She loved life with gusto, sometimes burning the candle at both ends, I know she would say, “I have no regrets, I married the love of my life and the best of both of us lives on in four new lives”.
Bless you Lynda.
Kathy & Carson Burrell